According to the Independent, Tottenham Hotspur are watching highly-rated Barcelona midfielder Sergi Samper and believe it is a possibility the North London club could sign him on loan.

The 20-year-old midfielder, who made his Champions League debut for Barcelona in a 1-0 win over APOEL Nicosia earlier this season, is very highly-rated in Spain and has been dubbed by national newspaper Mundo Deportivo as the next Andrea Pirlo. However, despite his obvious standing in Spain, the Independent believe Spurs could land the talent on loan.

Although he has made his Barcelona first-team bow, the young defensive midfielder has spent most of his season in the Segunda Division with Barcelona’s B team. In fact, on four occasions, he has even led the team out as captain.

Even though he hasn’t scored a goal and only recorded two assists this season – one for the second team, one for the first-team – he has been able to catch people’s attention with his incredible range of passing and ability to control a game that other players in his age range can only dream about.

If Tottenham Hotspur were to land the exciting prospect on loan, it would mark Barcelona’s second high-profile youngster that’s come over to England recently, with Gerard Deulofeu impressing while on loan at Everton last season.

Real Madrid have also sent a highly-rated defensive midfielder in Omar Mascarell to Derby County in order to use the English game to improve one of their top young players. So, like Derby and Madrid, it could be a win-win for both Tottenham and Barcelona as they work out what the next move for the Spanish under-21 international should be - if Spurs can convince them Samper will not be spending his time on the bench.